Sweet Itch Midge vs Cricket Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sweet Itch Midge | Cricket Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides obsoletus | Caenocholax fenyesi |
| Order | Diptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Myrmecolacidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 1.5-3.0 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Sweet Itch Midge
A tiny dark biting midge with patterned wings that causes an allergic skin condition called sweet itch in horses. It breeds in moist, organically rich habitats.
Did You Know?
It is the primary vector of Bluetongue virus in livestock across Europe.
Cricket Strepsipteran
An unusual strepsipteran whose males parasitize ants while females parasitize crickets. This dual-host system is unique among parasites.
Did You Know?
Males and females of this species parasitize completely different insect orders, a phenomenon unique to the family Myrmecolacidae.